NHM Curator of Malacology, Jann Vendetti, posted to the Nature in L.A. blog about some of the scientific finds that were discovered by citizen scientists participating in the El Niño SnailBlitz. Read about these discoveries, and view some beautiful photos, by clicking on the link below.

http://www.nhm.org/nature/blog/el-ni%C3%B1o-snailblitz-finds-rare-tightcoil-snail-la

NHM Citizen Science Program

We received 1225 observations of 49 species of land snails and slugs from over 200 citizen scientists.

The winners are:

Grand Prize: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2605863
Jose Caballero’s observation with three gastropods in one photo! Disc snail (Discus rotundatus), Arion slug (Arion hortensis), and a TINY LA-native, the vertigo snail (Vertigo sp.) taking a ride on the slug’s back.

Best Slug Photo: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2911669
Emily Han’s photo of a juvenile milky slug, (Deroceras reticulatum).

Best Snail Photo: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2903411
Jay L. Keller’s photo of a garden snail (Cornu aspersum) mob. They’re eating a eating a dead snail.

Rarest Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2700739
Annette Mercer’s photo of the rare and globally imperiled slug, Hesperarion hemphilli. So rare it doesn’t even have a common name!

Honorable Mentions
Our top contributors to this project were:
Cedric Lee @cedric_lee: 159 observations
Michelle Bjornlie @flopsybunny: 74 observations
BJ Stacey @finatic: 43 observations
Ron Shilton @rshilton: 39 observations

"We’re making new and interesting discoveries from your observations. Please keep them coming!"

• Dr. Jann Vendetti, NHM Curator of Malacology

SnailBlitz Photo Contest:
Will your snail or slug photo be a winner? Every eligible observation you submit will automatically get entered into our #SnailBlitz photo contest. On April 16 (National Citizen Science Day) we will announce the winners. Contest categories include:
• Grand Prize Winner
• Best Snail Photo
• Best Slug Photo
• Best snail/slug meme (must be generated using #SnailBlitz eligible photo)
• Rarest snail/slug Photo

*To be eligible for the photo contest, the photo must meet the following criteria:

1. Photo of a wild snail or slug, no pet snail or slug photos. Must be a land snail or slug (no marine snails/slugs).
2. Taken in Southern California, defined as the ten southernmost counties in California (i.e., San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San Bernardino Counties and all counties south of these).
3. Taken between January 16 and April 14, 2016 ( winners will be announced on April 16)

**Prizes:
• Grand Prize Winner will receive: free lunch and behind the scenes tour with Jann Vendetti (NHM Curator of Malacology), and a free annual family membership to NHM (includes membership for two adults and up to four children age 17 and under)
• Winners in all other categories will receive 4 general admission tickets to NHM

Terms and Conditions
*By submitting photos to the El Niño SnailBlitz, and the SLIME project, the photgrapher is granting the Museum the rights (1) to reproduce the photos for any Museum purpose, (2) to allow others working with the Museum to do the same, and (3) to use her or his name in connection with publicizing the SLIME project.
**The Museum reserves the right to substitute other prizes of equivalent value.